Here's the Thing

It's funny sad how you don't realize you grew up in a dysfunctional home until later. I just always thought it was weird how anyone I ever trusted enough to talk about my life at home disappeared shortly after. In order to protect the lie, any truth tellers had to be removed.

One day, the truth teller was me.

The great awakening took years. Slowly but surely, God brought people into my life that showed me what family looks like. Beautiful and imperfect. They gave me biblically sound advice, wisdom, love, and comfort to my life that I had never known before.

For the first time, I didn't have to walk on eggshells.

Apparently that is a normal state of being. I didn't have to find worth in performance, I was enough all on my own. I actually wasn't the reason for all the problems in the world and people loved me for who I really am, not what I do for them.

I don't keep secrets anymore.

As I worked through numerous courses and books for my degrees on the topics of family, marriage, counseling, trauma, abuse... more and more information came to light that exposed the truth but for those that refuse to see and hear, it means nothing.

They believed their own lies and it has became their demise.

One of the most profound statements I have come across is that hurting people hurt people, but it is only in relationships with people that you can be healed. The biggest problem in most dysfunctional families is that they isolate. True healing and health comes from exposure to accountability.

I am never alone.

I have numerous people who are willing to stop me and reveal the lie. I don't run. I don't hide. I consider the statement, ask for discernment, and test it on the scales of God's Word. I wrestle it out and then begin the process of changing.

I am not who I once was.

It has been 8 years since I spoke the truth and you walked away. Denying reality in favor of keeping up the farce of peace that you cling to. How is that working out? The Bible says that one day, every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord (Romans 14:11). But oh, to fall into the hands of an angry God is a terrible thing (Hebrews 10:31).

I am free.

I know where I stand before the Lord, my conscious is clear. I will speak the truth all the more loudly, again and again. As long as it takes. It is what is most feared in the dysfunctional family. A truth speaker that refuses to lie for the sake of the family. I have lost it all and yet the truth is still the truth and that has been clearly revealed for all to see.

I am still standing.

Waiting for God's glory to be displayed. He has already done miracles. The captives have been set free. He is restoring all that was lost. I serve a God that loves justice and who is faithful to complete the good works He has started (Philippians 1:6).

My story for His glory.

"But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!"

2 Chronicles 20:17